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Tuesday, April 09, 2013

Mobile Security Services will Reach $1.88B in 2013

As more people use their smartphones and tablets to download software apps, they potentially become a security risk for their employers.

According to the latest market study by ABI Research, mobile device malware has advanced to a new level of sophistication -- as more smart devices are adopted.

The number of unique mobile threats grew by 261 percent in just two quarters.

Increasingly complex malware is taking advantage of a wider range of mobile functionality to exploit vulnerabilities on the device and in the wireless communication networks that they're connected to.

Organizations allowing bring your own device (BYOD) to work programs -- without proper mobile device management capabilities -- are at great risk from covert interception and corruption.

More than simple security applications, the demand for specialized services is driving the market for mobile security; network security, managed and professional services are set to become the biggest category for business-to-business mobile security.

The driving markets in mobile security are concentrating on services for mobile device, identity and authentication management, as well as for audits, certification, and consulting.

ABI Research estimates the current Mobile Security Services market to total $1.88 billion by the end of 2013, by far dominating both the mobile device and mobile application security markets.

"Isolated and standalone security solutions will work for the individual consumer, but for organizational applications and communication carriers, mobile security services will take the lead," says Michela Menting, senior analyst in cyber security at ABI Research.

ABI believes that the mobile security services market will offer significant opportunities for vendors targeting mobile network operators as well as the individual businesses that use their services.